Capitol recalls CPDRC pass

CEBU, Philippines - Stricter policy is being imposed in the issuance of visitor’s pass at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center following reports of sex trade inside the facility.

Capitol consultant on jail matters, lawyer Jose Ma. Gastardo, yesterday said they are recalling the visitor’s ID issued and reviewing the authenticity of the supporting documents submitted.

It is the practice of CPDRC to require certificate of marriage for visitors of married inmates and certification from the barangay captain for those who claimed to be common-law wife or live-in partners in the issuance of visitor’s pass.

In the case of the reported victim of trafficking and prostitution, Gastardo said she was issued certification that she is a live-in partner of an inmate for 13 years.

The certification was issued on August 2, 2012 by Nestor Maglasang, the barangay captain of Lamac, Consolacion.

“Everything was in order. Do not expect us to go to the barangay and verify each and every document most especially, a document which carried the seal of the barangay,” Gastardo said.

Of the 1,600 inmates now at CPDRC, Gastardo said they do not know how many have live-in partners outside.

Gastardo denied that prostitution is tolerated inside the jail facility.

“Probably, I would say that if it is true that she was trafficked or pimped, the people processing the visitor’s ID were not aware of such circumstance because they relied on the document, which was in order,” he said.

Gastardo said that requiring more documents in the processing of visitor’s pass is not an assurance that incidents like this would not happen again because the jail is not a monastery.

Gastardo dared the Provincial Women’s Commission which is co-chaired by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale to go after the pimp or the recruiter of the complainant.

The PWC lawyers are reportedly planning to include jail officials in the filing of appropriate charges as accessory to the crime committed inside the jail.

“Para nako, they are going against the wrong institution, the CPDRC,” Gastardo said.

Gastardo pointed out that prostitution is anywhere.

“It is something that we are trying to prevent, pero og mahitabo man na, it is not because we are not doing anything. It is just because of circumstances,” he said.

Gastardo said that the complainant should have asked why she was brought to CPDRC when she was offered a decent job when recruited in Mindanao.

Gastardo expressed doubt on the motive of the complaint against the inmate who was convicted of murder.

He is among the 18 inmates scheduled to be shipped to Muntinlupa.

CPDRC is still waiting for the issuance of mittimus by the court and the investigation could further delay his transfer.

Mittimus is a court order directing a sheriff or police officer to escort a convict to a prison.

“Wa kaha ni siya gamita para di siya mapada sa Manila?” Gastardo added. — (FREEMAN)